Gimota GMP Power Connectors: High-Current and High-Voltage Connections for the Rail Industry

Whether high-speed trains, subways, regional trains, or locomotives: Modern rail vehicles rely on consistently reliable electrical power transmission. Particularly in the powertrain—between the power converter, traction motor, battery, and high-current distribution system—connectors must reliably withstand high currents, high voltages, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and humidity. The Gimota GMP power connectors were developed specifically for these demanding applications.

Gimota’s GMP series is a robust connector solution for high-current and high-voltage applications in rail vehicles. With rated values of up to 960 A, voltages up to 3,600 V, and cable cross-sections up to 300 mm² and a protection rating up to IP68 , the system is suitable for numerous electrical power connections in the rail sector.

In railway technology, electrical connectors are far more than simple connecting elements. They are components critical to safety and availability that must function for years under extreme conditions.

Rail vehicles are exposed daily to a wide variety of mechanical, climatic, and electrical influences:

• High currents and voltages in the traction system
• Vibrations and shocks caused by train operation, switches, braking, and bogie movements
• Temperature fluctuations between cold, heat, snow, ice, and thermally stressed components
• Moisture, dust, dirt, and salt spray
• Limited installation space and increasing requirements regarding weight and ease of maintenance
• High availability requirements in passenger and freight transport

Especially in areas such as bogies, traction motors, inverters, or cross-car power distribution, contact problems, contact resistance, or mechanical weaknesses must not lead to failures. The connector must remain permanently stable, leak-tight, vibration-resistant, and easy to maintain.

The GMP power connectors were designed for electrical connections within the powertrain of rail vehicles. For example, they connect power converters to traction motors, inverters to battery systems, or high-current distributors to other power modules.

The GMP series is particularly suitable for:

• Traction motor connections
• Connections between power converters and traction motors
• High-current connections in rail vehicles
• Connections to inverters and battery systems
• Cross-car power distribution
• Power connections in subways, multiple-unit trains, locomotives, and high-speed trains
• Applications in the bogie and undercarriage area

Thanks to their modular design, the connectors can be adapted to different vehicle architectures, pole counts, cable cross-sections, and EMC requirements.

The demands placed on electrical connection systems in modern rail vehicles are constantly increasing. Vehicles are expected to be lighter, more compact, more powerful, and at the same time require less maintenance. Gimota addresses these requirements with a connector system designed for robust mechanics, high electrical performance, and ease of use.

GMP power connectors feature durable housings that are suitable for mechanically demanding applications in rail vehicles. Particularly in the areas of bogies and traction motors, connectors are exposed to severe vibrations, shocks, and contamination.

The protection rating IP68 when mated helps protect the connection against dust and moisture. This makes the system suitable for demanding outdoor and underfloor applications.

A key advantage of the GMP series is its configurable design. Depending on the application, various pole counts, cable exits, strain reliefs, shield connections, and connection options can be implemented.

Options include, among others:

• Different designs for various installation situations
• Terminal enclosures with or without shield connections
• Cable cross-sections from 50 to 300 mm²
• Versions with up to 6 poles
• Additional options such as signal modules, strain relief, or coding
• Solutions for special applications

This modularity facilitates integration into existing and new vehicle platforms.

A key technical feature of GMP connectors is the use of lamellar contact technology. It ensures a constant contact force and uniform contact between the surfaces.

In high-current connections, low and stable contact resistance is crucial. Even minor changes at the contact point can lead to increased heating, power loss, or long-term wear.

The lamellar contact technology supports:

• Constant contact force
• Uniform current transfer
• Low contact resistance
• High contact quality
• Long service life
• Reliability under vibration and temperature fluctuations

Especially in the rail sector, where components are subjected to high mechanical and thermal stress over many years, this contact stability makes a significant contribution to operational safety.

In addition to electrical and mechanical performance, ease of installation also plays a central role. Downtime is costly in railway operations. The faster components can be replaced, inspected, or maintained, the better availability and lifecycle costs can be optimized.

GMP Power connectors are designed to facilitate easy assembly and maintenance. A crimped contact is inserted into an insulating body. At the cable exit, a cable gland protects against dust and moisture. Depending on the version, this can also be part of the shielding and transmit differential currents to the housing, which is in metallic contact.

This offers several advantages:

• Reduced number of components
• Faster installation
• Simpler maintenance
• High electrical safety
• Mechanically stable connection
• Option for EMC-compliant design

For vehicle manufacturers, system integrators, and maintenance companies, this is a key consideration: A connector system must not only be technically capable but also remain practical in day-to-day operation.

The GMP series is ideal for applications where high electrical power must be transmitted safely, compactly, and reliably. In rail vehicles, this primarily applies to the powertrain and high-current distribution systems.

One of the most important applications is the connection between the power converter and the traction motor. High currents flow here, and the connection is often subjected to severe vibrations. GMP connectors provide the necessary current-carrying capacity, mechanical robustness, and protection rating for this application.

In modern rail vehicles, battery systems, hybrid drives, and energy-efficient auxiliary systems are becoming increasingly important. Here, too, reliable high-current connections are required that can be adapted to different vehicle designs.

In multiple-unit trains and multi-car vehicles, electrical power must be transferred between cars. Plug-in connection systems facilitate installation, maintenance, and modular vehicle designs.

In the undercarriage area, connectors are exposed to particularly high stresses. Snow, ice, water, ballast dust, brake dust, and vibrations place high demands on sealing, materials, and mechanical stability.

For manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers of rail vehicles, it’s not just the individual technical specifications that matter. What’s crucial is the combination of electrical performance, reliability, ease of installation, compliance with standards, and service life.

Key advantages at a glance

• Suitable for demanding railway applications
• High current-carrying capacity up to 960 A
• Dielectric strength up to 3,600 V
• Cable cross-sections up to 300 mm²
• Protection rating up to IP68 when connected
• High resistance to vibration, shock, and jolt
• Operating temperature range: -50 °C to +150 °C
• Fire protection in accordance with EN 45545-2
• Modular variants for various power connections
• Options for shielding, strain relief, signal modules, and coding
• Lamellar contact technology for reliable contact
• More than 60 years of rail industry experience from Gimota

This combination is particularly valuable for long-term vehicle projects. Connectors must be available, maintainable, and capable of reproducible qualification over many years.

The Gimota GMP power connectors are a technically compelling solution for high-current and high-voltage connections in the rail industry. They combine high electrical performance with mechanical robustness, protection against harsh environmental conditions, and a design that complies with standards for rail vehicles.

With up to 960 A, up to 3,600 V, and cable cross-sections up to 300 mm², protection rating up to IP68 and fire protection requirements according to EN 45545-2 , the GMP Series is suitable for central power applications in the powertrain of modern rail vehicles.

For vehicle manufacturers, system integrators, and operators, these connectors offer clear benefits: reliable power transmission, flexible configuration, quick maintenance, and high operational reliability—exactly where failures are not an option.

Gimota GMP power connectors are robust high-current and high-voltage connectors for rail applications. They are used, among other things, in the powertrain of rail vehicles, between power converters and traction motors, as well as on inverters, batteries, and high-current distribution units.

 Depending on the model, Gimota GMP power connectors are rated for current levels up to 960 A.

The GMP series is designed for rated voltages up to 3,600 V and is therefore suitable for high-voltage applications in rail vehicles.

When mated, Gimota GMP connectors achieve an IP68 protection rating according to IEC 60529, depending on the model.

The GMP series supports cable cross-sections ranging from 50 mm² to 300 mm².

Depending on the model, the GMP series meets relevant requirements for railway applications, including EN 45545-2, EN 61373, EN 50467, and tests in accordance with IEC 62847.

Typical applications include traction motors, power converters, inverters, battery systems, high-current distribution panels, and inter-car power connections in rail vehicles.